All told, about 100 or so folks across worlds participated in this experiment, logging in from all around the United States, as well as a few folks from Europe and Africa. It was one of these strange and fun mixed-reality events where you
found yourself flipping between various windows the whole time,
listening to the speech while chatting with friends the whole time. So much more engaging than watching it on CNN.

After President Obama's speech, there was a virtual debrief with three African experts: Ghanian musician DNA (Derrick Ashong), Ambassador Kenton Keith and African studies Professor Timothy Burke of Swarthmore College. People in Second Life and Metaplace could ask the speakers questions as well as engage in back channel chat. I liked how within Metaplace, you were watching a live video simulcast of the avatars of the three speakers from within Second Life! Truly meta!

The event was co-organized by various virtual world developers and
activists including In Kenzo, Frans Charming, Tori Horton, Keith
Morris, Rhiannon Chatnoir, and many others that I'm sure I'm
forgetting. Amazing job, guys, on putting together this multi-modal, innovative event!